Distinctive Palo Alto Architects

Local Points of Interest for Architecture Buffs

Monty Anderson

Two of Palo Alto's most illustrious architects, Birge Clark and Pedro DeLemos, had a decided influence on the way Palo Alto looks today. Both practiced architecture in and around Palo Alto beginning in the 1920s and they shared a love of the Spanish Revival style of architecture that blossomed in California during the Arts and Crafts movement.

As Californians became tired of transplanted Eastern styles, architects searched for a style of architecture that better represented the uniqueness of California. They didn't have to look far, because California was dotted with Spanish missions. The missions, with their thick adobe walls, exterior courtyards and clay tile roofs, were perfectly adapted for the climate of California. Clark and DeLemos embraced this style of architecture, and forever changed the look of Palo Alto.

Today many of the city's most important buildings are designed in this Spanish Revival style. Local buildings of note by Birge Clark include the Palo Alto Post Office, the University Arts Building, the President Hotel, the Varsity Theater and many of the buildings along Ramona Street between University and Hamilton. This area is designated a National Register Historic District.

Also on Ramona Street are buildings by DeLemos; the buildings housing Nola's restaurant, and the Double Rainbow Ice Cream Parlor across the street are examples of his work. In addition, Waverley Oaks, his own residence off Waverley Street, has been featured on the Gamble Garden Center Tour and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Menlo Park boasts Allied Arts, which was also designed by DeLemos.

Join the Museum of American Heritage as we celebrate these and other local architects and architectural styles with displays of graphics and architectural artifacts at MOAH's Spring exhibit On the House: Architecture and Artifacts.

Monty Anderson, a Principal at Cody Anderson Wasney, is a member of MOAH's Board of Directors and consulting with the Exhibits Committee for On the House.

Buying a Slice of Architectural Distinction

What do Dave Brubeck, Jane Fonda, Alice Waters and Dr Seuss [aka, Theodor Geisel] have in common?

It turns out that they were all inducted into the California Hall of Fame last month, a body set up in 2005 by California's First Lady Maria Shriver to honor individuals who embody the state's innovative spirit.

Included in the 2008 list of 12 inductees is architect Julia Morgan, who crashed through the gender barrier at the turn of the 19th century and went on to design more than 700 buildings over a 47-year career, most of them in the Bay Area.

Julia Morgan

Morgan's most famous building is William Randolph Hearst's San Simeon home, Hearst Castle. But the more modest homes she designed come onto the market fairly regularly and they are always worth checking out -- whether you want to live in a home of architectural distinction, or if only to indulge in a little snooping on a Sunday open-house tour.

Some are more desirable than others. A 3/1.5 on Parker Street in Berkeley lingered on the market for almost a year before selling last June for $938,000. However another Morgan was snapped up in a flash in October: 2616 Etna St, a 3/1 brown-shingle, also in Berkeley, sold for $1,257,000, comfortably over its $1,115,000 asking price.

I can't say I was surprised. Built in 1905, the home had the swathes of paneling and built-ins one associates with the Craftsman style, as well as a sleeping porch, working pocket doors, window seats, casement windows and precisely 271 linear feet of custom-built bookshelves. A slice of history and an architectural gem for Morgan fans.

The Landmark Heritage Foundation is celebrating Morgan's induction into the Hall of Fame on January 18 at the Berkeley City Club, designed -- of course -- by Julia Morgan. For information, visit their website.